Car was running great... now...

2000 Maxima SE

Turn the key and Nothing. Starter doesn't click or anything.

Guages, lights, and everything else work.

I've tested the starter. - Good

Replaced Safety neutral switch with a new one. - It's good

I don't have the car with me right now so I can't check it now, but is the starter relay labled something like "inhibit..."?? Is that the same on an automatic or is that only for standard?

Anything else you think I should check?

 

Ignition switch?

 

+ fuel pump, toasted IACV/motor mounts, cam and crank sensors, security system (key fob)

 

SECURITY SYSTEM...

Is the red SECURITY light on the dash blinking or solid when attempting to start the car?

 

When NATS goes nuts, it still cranks but just doesnt turn over. It happened to me before.

 

good to know...I haven't yet had to deal with NATS *knock on wood*

 

Correct.

I'd check the battery first since it's easy. Next, look in the FSM under the ignition section and it gives you a value that the ignition switch should be reading under certain circumstances, so test that with a multimeter.

If the stater is working, it's definitely a signal issue but it's unrelated to NATS (this disables fuel, not ignition completely).

 

I vote for the ignition switch. Get a voltmeter or a test light on the on the small wire to the starter. You should have voltage when you turn the key to start.

 

Battery is fully charged.

I'll test the ignition switch that's a good place to look.

Yes the starter is working. I agree, it's definately a signal issue since the starter doesn't even try to turn over the engine.

I've had the NATS problem once in the past when a locksmith didn't code a replacement key properly. At that time the car tried to start but wouldn't turn over.

 

Check out this video. It's about the fuses mounted near the positive battery terminal. I know it's not a maxima, and its a 2.5, but the concept is the same.

 

Thanks very much for the suggestion: only thing is that in this video, nothing comes on. However, on my car all of the guages, lights etc. work, it just won't even try to start.

When i turn the key to the "On" position hear the fuel pump, and other electronics in the engine compartement come on, but when I turn the key to start, it does not send the signal to turn the starter.

 

I would look at the starter/solenoid again. Ignition switches on the 4th gen were problematic but never heard of someone having problems with it on a 2K. I replaced ignition switch, starter relay (inhibitor relay) and nothing. It was the starter on mine. How exactly did you check the starter? If the solenoid is bad the starter won't turn. Like others have said, check the voltage at the starter/solenoid. You probably need to remove the air intake system to get to it unless you can do it from underneath.

 

Take a piece of pipe and small hammer or big ratchet and knock the starter then you'll know for sure if it's the start lol. True story

 

i know this is an old thread but i have the same symptoms. battery is good all electronics look good. what was the problem?

 

You have to do some diagnostics. The problem can be caused by more than one thing. Check the things mentioned here and hopefully you will find the source of the problem.

There are still more things that can cause the problem that were not mentioned here because they don't happen that often.